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How to choose a Christmas destination
It’s easy to think that Christmas can sneak up on you, especially after Thanksgiving. There are several things you’ll want to consider before choosing where to go on your Christmas vacation, including your budget, travel party size, accommodation preferences, and transport options.
What are the best dates to travel for Christmas?
There’s no exact answer to the question of “What are the best dates to fly around Christmas?”. The dates around Christmas are some of the busiest travel days in the United States, including the weekend before Christmas and Christmas Eve itself. The days after Christmas are also particularly busy, including in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.
The best places to visit during Christmas in the USA
There’s no shortage of little Christmas towns throughout the USA that pull out all the stops for the festive season, but don’t overlook cities as well! Everywhere, from national parks to theme parks and major cities, get into the holiday spirit with parades, Christmas markets, and enough decorations to make it feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Every vacation is different, so we’ve rounded up a list of the 19 best places to visit in the USA over the Christmas holidays with ideas to suit every type of traveler, budget, and itinerary.
1. Dallas, Texas
Where to stay: Dallas Marriott Downtown
If you’re not a fan of colder climates, try a slightly warmer destination like Dallas. The city offers the same festivities that you’ll find in other places, like Chicago and New York, without the snow and the shivering temperatures. There are several major celebrations held in Dallas over the Christmas period, including the Dallas Zoo Lights route with over 2 million holiday lights, musical performances, and even the chance to meet Santa.
There are several major celebrations held in Dallas over the Christmas period.
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Other popular spots to add to your itinerary include a stop at the Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center, which houses the largest indoor Christmas tree in Texas, and the outdoor “Holiday at the Arboretum” celebration with its European-inspired Christmas villages. If you want to indulge in a luxury experience, suggest a visit to the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek for a bottle of bubbly and an elevated seasonal tasting menu.
2. New York City, New York
Where to stay: Park Central Hotel New York
Is it even Christmas if you don’t watch Home Alone 2 or Miracle on 34th Street? New York City has become synonymous with Christmas, and a trip to the Big Apple for some holiday shopping is often a bucket list experience for most clients. While you can expect to pay some of the highest prices of the year, there’s nowhere as magical as NYC in the run-up to New Year’s Eve.
New York City has become synonymous with Christmas.
Photo by Joseph Hendrickson on Shutterstock
This destination is a great option for a weekend getaway and works for travelers of all ages, whether you want to take an elderly parent to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall or if they want to bring their kids to FAO Schwarz at the Rockefeller Center.
The most important thing to consider is the holiday crowds. While NYC is busy year-round, things can get even more crowded in December. The good news is that the city prepares for this influx of tourists, from putting on extra performances of Broadway shows to ensuring there’s plenty for you throughout the city, from seeing the decorations in Dyker Heights to skating at the ice rink at the Rockefeller tree.
3. Park City, Utah
Where to stay: Park City Peaks Hotel
One of the most popular winter destinations in the USA is Park City. While it’s famous for hosting the Sundance Film Festival, Park City is also known for its skiing, making it a great alternative for clients who don’t want to travel to Europe for a luxury ski vacation. There are plenty of different accommodation options available, and the city is just 35 miles from Salt Lake City, giving extra travel routes for clients coming from anywhere in the world.
Park City is also known for its skiing.
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Park City is a former mining town that has transformed in recent decades, becoming home to several luxury resorts, including Deer Valley, and even hosting events for the Winter Olympics in 2002. Utah Olympic Park is located within Park City and is an active training facility for winter sports, including members of the USA ski team.
4. Chicago, Illinois
Where to stay: The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
If your clients want to avoid the hustle and bustle of New York, Chicago is a great alternative. This destination is also popular with clients who have always wanted to experience traditional European Christmas markets. While it’s hard to escape the colder temperatures, Chicago takes the festive season very seriously.
Christkindlmarket is the city’s annual celebration, offering a free, German-inspired experience.
Photo by EQRoy on Shutterstock
Christkindlmarket is the city’s annual celebration, offering a free, German-inspired experience with festive music, traditional cuisine, and plenty of handcrafted goods to bring home as a souvenir. Lincoln Park Zoo is a great family-friendly option, and its annual ZooLights celebration features over 3 million lights and includes sensory-friendly visiting times.
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
Where to stay: Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Las Vegas is always a good idea, and the city has an extra sprinkle of magic to it during the holidays. It’s another good alternative to New York if your clients want a luxury getaway with live entertainment, holiday displays, and festive experiences. Every hotel on the Strip gets into the festive spirit, and many of them curate exclusive experiences for their on-site guests, including at their various bars and restaurants.
Las Vegas is always a good idea, and the city has an extra sprinkle of magic to it during the holidays.
Photo by Kit Leong on Shutterstock
The famous Bellagio fountains will often play some of the most recognizable Christmas classics, including “Carol of the Bells” and “Santa Baby,” throughout the day. The hotel’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens also host a major holiday display, including a Christmas tree that stands at over 40 feet.
There are several major holiday concerts and shows happening in Las Vegas this holiday season, including Mariah Carey’s residency at Park MGM and “Sinatra Live! Starring Michael Sinatra.” If your clients are hiring a car, they can also head to the “Glittering Lights” show at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, driving by over 6 million lights across the 2.5-mile course.
6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Where to stay: Surfside Beach Oceanfront Hotel
While the festive season is typically seen as an expensive time to travel, there are still deals to be found! If your clients want an affordable beach vacation, destinations like Myrtle Beach in South Carolina are a great option. Most hotels in the area offer competitive rates, which means there are still a nice number of tourists around, without being overwhelming.
Myrtle Beach is known for being a family-friendly beach town, it doesn’t shy away from the holiday spirit.
Photo by Kirk Fisher on Shutterstock
Although Myrtle Beach is known for being a family-friendly beach town, it doesn’t shy away from the holiday spirit. Brookgreen Gardens hosts an annual display of thousands of hand-lit candles, while Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach hosts a “Festival of Trees,” with one tree representing each U.S. state or themed with a family-friendly concept. Your clients will also want to visit the Carolina Opry Theatre, the oldest live theatre venue in the area, which hosts several holiday shows, including “The Christmas Show of the South.”
7. North Pole, Alaska
Where to stay: Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
We’ve all dreamt of going to the North Pole and seeing the Northern Lights, but getting there isn’t always easy – but did you know the United States has its own North Pole? Although it’s technically 1,700 miles south of the real one, Alaska’s North Pole is a quiet little Christmas town that doesn’t shy away from indulging in the festive spirit. It even keeps its Christmas decorations up year-round!
The most famous spot in the North Pole is the Santa Claus House.
Photo by Kit Leong on Shutterstock
The most famous spot in the North Pole is the Santa Claus House, which you’ll find after traveling up Snowman Lane, Holiday Road, and, of course, Santa Claus Lane. If your client is a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, then this destination is the one for them. It serves up a nostalgic Christmas spirit, complete with candy canes, traditional decorations, and the chance to mail a letter to Santa.
This small town has fewer than 3,000 residents and is just a 15-minute drive from Fairbanks, where most visitors will choose to stay and then rent a car to explore the North Pole.
8. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Bethlehem
Another town that we often associate with Christmas is Bethlehem – and just like the North Pole, it has a sister in the United States.
Bethlehem is one of the state’s most popular towns for Christmas vacations.
Photo by George Sheldon on Shutterstock
Nestled in Pennsylvania, Bethlehem is one of the state’s most popular towns for Christmas vacations, offering its own Christkindlmarkt and a Christmas City Village, featuring glass-blowing demonstrations, live entertainment, and traditional crafts. If your clients are fans of Christmas movies, they can even take a carriage ride through the town.
9. Charleston, South Carolina
Where to stay: Planters Inn
Another warmer destination in the United States to consider is Charleston, South Carolina. This city often appears in our travel guides and is gaining international attention with airlines like Breeze Airways and Spirit Airlines opening new routes to and from Charleston International Airport for 2025 and beyond.
Charleston takes on a new life during the holidays.
Photo by Al Munroe on Shutterstock
While Charleston is famous for its historic old-school feel and culinary scene, the city takes on a new life during the holidays. There are accommodation options to suit every budget, from family-friendly chain hotels to luxury boutique apartments and everything in between.
Some of the most popular festive activities in Charleston include the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, the Festival of Trees at Charleston Place, and the Aquarium Aglow light show at the South Carolina Aquarium.
10. Stowe, Vermont
Where to stay: The Stowe Village Inn
Sometimes you’ll get a client who comes with a simple request – that they want a vacation that won’t involve screen time. If your clients want an outdoor adventure or to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, there’s nowhere better than Stowe.
Stowe is the perfect recommendation for a cozy winter getaway.
Photo by Kevin M. Walsh on Shutterstock
Stowe is known for its walking trails and ski slopes, while the famous Von Trapp Brewing, Vermont’s largest brewery, has led the town to be associated with “The Sound of Music.” This charming town offers carriage rides, a free outdoor skating rink, and some of the best snowboarding you’ll find on the East Coast. Stowe is the perfect recommendation for a cozy winter getaway.
11. Newport Beach, California
Where to stay: Pendry Newport Beach
If your client is looking for a weekend getaway over the holidays in California, it’s hard to look beyond Newport Beach. This coastal retreat offers great conditions for surfing in winter and is a popular choice for couples searching for a romantic Christmas vacation. Although most hotels have a nautical feel, they commit to the festive season with a blend of traditional and contemporary decorations.
Newport Beach offers great conditions for surfing in winter.
Photo by Marcus E Jones on Shutterstock
Newport Beach is home to one of the oldest Christmas traditions in the United States, the infamous Christmas Boat Parade, which has been running for almost 120 years, making it even older than the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony by several decades. Held for just a few days before Christmas, this boat parade sees boats, kayaks, and yachts decked out in their holiday best.
12. Washington, D.C.
Where to stay: Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square
Washington, D.C. is a city you should always be recommending to your clients, especially if they want to get into the festive spirit with a theatre show, a trip to a museum, and a walk around some of the country’s most important monuments. One of the benefits of a vacation to Washington, D.C. is that most of its main attractions are open to the public for free, including visiting the Smithsonian museums and seeing the National Christmas tree.
One of the benefits of a vacation to Washington, D.C. is that most of its main attractions are open to the public for free.
Photo by Robert Crow on Shutterstock
Most of the hotels in the city center offer curated seasonal menus and even holiday-themed afternoon teas. If your client is looking for itinerary recommendations, you’ll want to suggest a trip to Ford’s Theatre, which puts on an annual performance of “A Christmas Carol” from mid-November to New Year’s Eve.
13. Seneca Falls, New York
Where to stay: Hampton Inn Seneca Falls
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is perhaps the most famous holiday movie of all time, and it’s one we’ve all known up with. Although the movie wasn’t filmed in this destination, Seneca Falls has long claimed to be the inspiration for the town that features in the movie. If your client is looking for an old-school Christmas, focused on their favourite movie, then it’s hard to recreate the magic they’ll find in Seneca Falls.
This small Christmas town is nestled between Rochester and Syracuse.
Photo by TW Farlow Media on Shutterstock
The town hosts several events with movie screenings, museum exhibitions, and even gingerbread house contests. This small Christmas town is nestled between Rochester and Syracuse, offering several transport options for domestic U.S. guests and international travelers.
14. St. Louis, Missouri
Where to stay: The Cheshire
Another iconic Christmas movie is “Meet Me in St Louis,” which ends with Judy Garland singing the iconic song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Ever since, St. Louis has considered itself a Christmas town. There’s no shortage of Christmas-related activities to excite your clients, from the annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden, complete with over a million lights, to even a Polar Express-inspired train ride at Union Station.
St. Louis has considered itself a Christmas town.
Photo by Jon Rehg on Shutterstock
Most of the Christmas activities can be found at the Winterfest at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis, which offers everything from igloos to s’mores making and even ice skating under the lights.
15. Aspen, Colorado
Where to stay: Limelight Hotel Aspen
When it comes to a scenic Christmas town, it’s hard to find somewhere with as much magic as Aspen. If your clients want to go skiing for Christmas, Aspen must be on their shortlist of destinations. It’s a great option for first-time skiers and hobbyists alike, but there’s more to this area than just its slopes. Aspen has become a popular choice for luxury travelers with its upscale accommodation options, private art galleries, and gourmet cuisine.
When it comes to a scenic Christmas town, it’s hard to find somewhere with as much magic as Aspen.
Photo by davisdeatonphotography on Shutterstock
Before you book any trip to Aspen, it’s important that your clients understand the reality of a trip to Aspen in December. The area sees almost daily snow with an average of up to 60 inches falling on Aspen Mountain over December. While your clients will want to prioritize packing their warmest clothes, it’s also important to prepare them for the crowds. December is peak season for Aspen, and it’s a good idea to book lift tickets and any additional activities as early as possible to guarantee availability.
16. Orlando, Florida
Where to stay: Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
When it comes to the holiday magic, there are few places that bring out your inner child more than Orlando. If your clients are planning a family reunion or want to escape the madness of everyday life for a theme park bubble, there is no shortage of things to do in Orlando this festive season.
When it comes to the holiday magic, there are few places that bring out your inner child more than Orlando.
Photo by Paula Montenegro Stock on Shutterstock
While Disney World is famous for its Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which is an additional ticketed event, there are still plenty of seasonal activities happening across all four major parks. Over in Universal Studios, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter makes it feel like guests are spending Christmas at Hogwarts, and one of the must-do activities is Grinchmas. You’ll want to advise your clients to queue early if they’re planning to meet the Grinch, as wait times can easily exceed those of even the most popular trends.
17. Nantucket, Massachusetts
Where to stay: Nantucket Resort Collection
Another traditional American town to add to your list of winter destinations is Nantucket, a postcard-worthy town located on an island off the coast of Cape Cod. While the Massachusetts area is mostly associated with the summer months, it offers an entirely different experience over the holiday season. The main festive event is the annual Christmas Stroll, a tradition that dates back over 50 years, and includes the town’s Christmas lighting ceremony. You can curate a vacation itinerary that includes Nantucket as an add-on to a trip to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Boston.
Nantucket is a postcard-worthy town located on an island off the coast of Cape Cod.
Photo by Shackleford Photography on Shutterstock
18. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Where to stay: Bright Angel Lodge – Inside the Park
No winter getaway guide is complete without including something for the thrill seekers. Christmas is a time when those who don’t celebrate the holiday take advantage of a few days off to tick a destination off their bucket list. Most national parks in the U.S. are still accessible on Christmas Day with facilities open throughout the holidays. If your client has always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon, then December might be a smart travel opportunity for them.
Most national parks in the U.S. are still accessible on Christmas Day with facilities open throughout the holidays.
Photo by Jeremy Janus on Shutterstock
While a December trip to Arizona requires a little more planning, it’s when the region sees its lowest tourist crowds. The main thing to consider during winter is that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed to vehicle traffic from December 1st through to May 14th.
19. Santa Claus, Indiana
Where to stay: Santas Lodge and Resort
Our final recommendation to add to your list of winter packages is another fittingly named Christmas town, this time it’s Santa Claus in Indiana. While there are accommodation options within the town itself, most visitors choose to stay in Dale, Lincoln City, and Ferdinand, with Evansville also being a 45-minute drive away. Santa Claus is famous for its post office, which (unsurprisingly) is where most letters to Santa end up, before being answered by “elves.”
Santa Claus is famous for its post office, which (unsurprisingly) is where most letters to Santa end up.
Photo by SevenMaps on Shutterstock
Tourists will want to stop by the Santa Claus Christmas Store for a unique souvenir and visit the Santa Claus Museum and Village, which explores original town buildings that date back to 1856. While this destination is ideal for families, it’s also a good choice for solo travelers and groups searching for a touch of festive magic.
Create unforgettable Christmas vacation packages with RateHawk
Give your clients a Christmas experience they’ll never forget with a vacation planned with the help of RateHawk. When you join, you’ll get instant access to over 2.9 million hotels from more than 320 suppliers internationally. You’ll find everything you need for vacation planning on one platform, from car rentals to transfers and airline tickets. Get started with RateHawk today to offer the best winter getaway packages for your clients for 2025 and beyond.
Cover image: Photo by Ibrahim Boran on Unsplash
